Every year Ames makes her Grandpa George his favorite Slovakian cookies, Apricot Kolacky. Of course, these soft cookies filled with sweet and tangy apricot filling are so scrumptious, that Ames always keeps a few for herself.

Shn of Mishmash! from USA

Baking Diamond Cuts, Indian fried cookies that are laced with cardamom and soaked in a sweet syrup, never fails to elicit sweet memories for Shn.

Ronelle of My French Kitchen

Ronelle wants to keep things simple yet flavorful this Christmas. Looks like she has done just that with her Date and Coconut Squares.

Lorraine says of her Rainbow Cookies: "These are my all time favorite cookies!"

7 ounces marzipan paste or almond paste

1 cup sugar

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened

4 large eggs, separated

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour (sift before measuring)

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 drops green food coloring, or to desired color

5 drops red food coloring, or to desired color

12-oz jar raspberry jam (preferably seedless)

6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 3 (13- by 9-inch) metal baking pans. Line bottom of each with wax paper, letting it extend at 2 opposite ends, and grease paper. Break marzipan paste into small pieces and grind with sugar in food processor until no lumps remain. Transfer to a large bowl and add butter. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then add yolks and almond extract and beat well. Beat in flour and salt on low speed. Beat egg whites in another bowl with cleaned beaters until they just hold stiff peaks and stir one third into batter to lighten slightly (batter will still be stiff). Fold in remaining whites thoroughly. Divide dough into thirds (about 1 1/2 cups each). Stir green food coloring into one third and red food coloring into another, leaving one third plain. Spread each dough separately into a pan. (Layers will be thin.)

Bake layers in batches in middle of oven until just set and beginning to turn golden along edges, 7 to 10 minutes total. Run a knife along edges to loosen from pan, then while still hot, invert a large rack over pan and invert layer onto rack, pulling gently on wax paper overhangs to release if necessary. Peel off wax paper and cool completely.

Line a large shallow baking pan with wax paper and slide green layer into it. Spread half of jam evenly over green layer and carefully top with plain layer. Spread remaining jam evenly over uncolored layer and carefully top with pink layer (trim edges if necessary). Cover with plastic wrap and weight with a large cutting board or baking pan. Chill at least 3 hours.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Remove weight and plastic wrap and spread chocolate evenly over top, but not sides, of pink layer. Let stand at room temperature until set, about 1 hour, and cut into small diamonds (12 rows crosswise and 12 diagonal rows).

Cristina of La cucina di Cristina from Italy

Cristina shares Islere, a traditional Romanian holiday cookie. A rich espresso creme filling is sandwiched between two buttery walnut cookies and then dipped in chocolate.

Lien's shares Fig Cookies that are addictive whether they're soft and chewy or firm and crunchy. You decide how you want yours.

Rita of Mochachocolata-Rita from Hong Kong

You can't tell by looking at these Choco-Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies, but they're low in iodine. Why? Because Rita wanted to share them with a fried who is undergoing chemotherapy. Now that's a cookie made with love.

Sarah of What Smells So Good from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

These Dreena Inspired Drop Cookies are the last batch of a gazillion batches of Christmas cookies that Sarah has baked this year. And each one is delicious.

PG of My Kitchen Stories from Hamburg, Germany

Nurnberger Lebkuchen is a special Christmas time cookie from Bavaria, Germany. According to PG, "it is now a protected name and can only be used for Lebkuchen actually originating from there, when sold." Hey, people can get pretty protective of their cookies.

Laurie of Dalla Mia Cucina from Temecula, CA, USA

Laurie's Italian Filled Cookies are an enticing mixture of dried fruits, chocolate, and rum all tucked inside of a light sweet dough.

Ivy just made a new friend in her kitchen: fresh ginger. And they're getting along well from the looks of these dark and spicy Bitter Chocolate Ginger Cookies.

Marie of Proud Italian Cook

If you can't make it to Sicily this Christmas, then bake some Cucidati (Italian Fig Cookies). You may still be home, but you'll definitely be experiencing the flavors of Italy.

Elle of Feeding My Enthusiasms from N. California, USA

For Elle Christmas season is about cherished family traditions. Her daughter will be away for Christmas this year, so Elle is surprising her with a tin of family beloved Santa's Whiskers/Shaven Santa Cookies. There's nothing like the taste of home during the holidays.

Claudia of The Missing Flavor from Trondheim, Norway

In her pursuit to make the perfect Norwegian cake and cookie, the kranse kake, Claudia has been playing around with marizpan and created these sweet Marzipan Chips.

Rosie of Bitchin' in the Kitchen with Rosie from Worthington, Ohio, USA

Rosie loves these Chocolate Snowcaps because they're fun to make, just on the fancy side, and sure to make any dieter fall off the diet wagon.

TS and JS from eatingclub Vancouver Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Looking for a unique shortbread to make this year? Look no further than TS and JS's softly green tinged Macha Shortbread made with macha, Japanese green tea powder.

Food Hunter of Food Hunter's Guide

Food Hunter gave her traditional rum balls a new, happier look by rolling them in some crunchy chocolate sprinkles. They now have a happier name too: Rum Balls with Chocolate Sprinkles.

Vera of Delicios from Novi Sad, Serbia

Vera is going to make Santa very happy this year with a plate of her delicious Magdini Paprenjaci.

Meeta of What's For Lunch, Honey? from Weimal, Germany

There's a whole lotta baking going on in Meeta's kitchen such as this spicy Ginger Shortbread.

I think blogger's having a jolly good nibble at this deliicous secetion Susa! GREAT GREAT array; am already looking forward to next year. BTW, congrats on winning at Maryann's...you lucky girl. That's for all the hard work you did Susan...well deserved!!

I have only browsed over these but already have so many ideas of what I wish I could bake (if my house wasn't already full enough of home baking) but will be coming back for a more in depth inspection of so many goodies - thanks for a great event Susan